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The experience will be invaluable whether Calgary Flames prospect-turned-pro gets game action or not. With five games remaining on the regular-season schedule, Zayne Parekh got called up to his NHL club on Tuesday — joining the Flames on the road in Anaheim.
It’s unlikely the 19-year-old (as of mid-February) defenseman gets into his first NHL contest right away. The Flames are in the final days of a playoff chase and after making no changes to the roster at the trade deadline, the team seems likely to let the guys who got the team this far in a season that has surprised everyone on the outside looking in.
Even if he’s relegated to the role of cheerleader until the team is either eliminated from the playoffs or locks up the last spot in the Western Conference, Parekh told the Flames’ team reporters he was excited for the opportunity.
“Whether I play or not, I’m going to be the No.-1 supporter of this team,” Parekh said during a day off for the squad in what he can now confirm is the Happiest Place on Earth.
“I’m hoping the team makes the playoffs, because I’m more excited to see what the city looks like come playoff time.”
Some would argue Parekh being inserted into the lineup could help that against-the-odds cause. Instantly following the news he was joining the team that scooped him up ninth overall in the NHL draft a little less than a year ago, that’s what most have been debating in professional and fan hockey realms.
Here are some reasons for and against having Parekh suit up sooner than later.
PUT HIM IN: Parekh’s incredible junior season put him in the record books alongside NHL legend Bobby Orr. Offensively, there’s not much more you can ask for from a blueline prospect and the Flames are among the lowest-scoring teams in the entire league. Parekh instantly makes you more dangerous on the power-play and on the rush at even strength.
LET HIM WATCH: He’s barely 19, had a rough training camp and admittedly still has things to work on with his defensive game. Because of the struggles the Flames have felt putting pucks past goaltenders, they can’t afford any mistakes ending up behind theirs.
PUT HIM IN: He’s arguably already better than a few of the defensemen on the roster, maybe at both ends of the ice, and doesn’t icing the best roster possible give you a better shot at winning games and making it to the playoffs? Parekh could be a difference-maker.
LET HIM WATCH: The team’s chemistry is one of the biggest reasons the Flames have remained in the hunt for a playoff position few believed would be possible before the season began. Putting Parekh into the lineup would probably mean some major shifts on the back end, including some serious swapping of partners. Does Flames head coach Ryan Huska want to risk that chemistry or send the message the guys he’s been rolling with aren’t good enough?
PUT HIM IN: The kid is a big part of the Flames’ future and already has great confidence. Sounds a lot like Calder Trophy candidate Dustin Wolf, doesn’t it?
Continue reading...
It’s unlikely the 19-year-old (as of mid-February) defenseman gets into his first NHL contest right away. The Flames are in the final days of a playoff chase and after making no changes to the roster at the trade deadline, the team seems likely to let the guys who got the team this far in a season that has surprised everyone on the outside looking in.
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Even if he’s relegated to the role of cheerleader until the team is either eliminated from the playoffs or locks up the last spot in the Western Conference, Parekh told the Flames’ team reporters he was excited for the opportunity.
“Whether I play or not, I’m going to be the No.-1 supporter of this team,” Parekh said during a day off for the squad in what he can now confirm is the Happiest Place on Earth.
“I’m hoping the team makes the playoffs, because I’m more excited to see what the city looks like come playoff time.”
Some would argue Parekh being inserted into the lineup could help that against-the-odds cause. Instantly following the news he was joining the team that scooped him up ninth overall in the NHL draft a little less than a year ago, that’s what most have been debating in professional and fan hockey realms.
Here are some reasons for and against having Parekh suit up sooner than later.
PUT HIM IN: Parekh’s incredible junior season put him in the record books alongside NHL legend Bobby Orr. Offensively, there’s not much more you can ask for from a blueline prospect and the Flames are among the lowest-scoring teams in the entire league. Parekh instantly makes you more dangerous on the power-play and on the rush at even strength.
LET HIM WATCH: He’s barely 19, had a rough training camp and admittedly still has things to work on with his defensive game. Because of the struggles the Flames have felt putting pucks past goaltenders, they can’t afford any mistakes ending up behind theirs.
PUT HIM IN: He’s arguably already better than a few of the defensemen on the roster, maybe at both ends of the ice, and doesn’t icing the best roster possible give you a better shot at winning games and making it to the playoffs? Parekh could be a difference-maker.
LET HIM WATCH: The team’s chemistry is one of the biggest reasons the Flames have remained in the hunt for a playoff position few believed would be possible before the season began. Putting Parekh into the lineup would probably mean some major shifts on the back end, including some serious swapping of partners. Does Flames head coach Ryan Huska want to risk that chemistry or send the message the guys he’s been rolling with aren’t good enough?
PUT HIM IN: The kid is a big part of the Flames’ future and already has great confidence. Sounds a lot like Calder Trophy candidate Dustin Wolf, doesn’t it?
Continue reading...
